right-e-o. i know much of the water is drinkable. but as a fellow gringa tourista, i responded as i did because: i although i know locals & residents can and know what to do, where its ok to do it, and where it may not be. a first or 2nd time visitor does not. if you tell them its fine & by chance it isnt, well...so, to avoid any backlash (CYA), cuz there *surely* is a chance a 1st time visitor will get some belly distress of some sort, i always give the 'better safe than sorry' answer. being overly careful on one's first trip can't hurt. being overly reckless thinking everything is ok, well... (please dont bash me, just my opinion)